“There are not more than five cardinal tastes, yet combinations of them yield more flavours than can ever be tasted.”

When the outlook is bright, bring it before their eyes; but tell them nothing when the situation is gloomy.

When the outlook is bright, bring it before their eyes; but tell them nothing when the situation is gloomy.

If the mind is willing, the flesh could go on and on without many things.

When your army has crossed the border, you should burn your boats and bridges, in order to make it clear to everybody that you have no hankering after home.

If there is disturbance in the camp, the general’s authority is weak.

Know yourself and you will win all battles

The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting.

All warfare is based on deception.

He who is prudent and lies in wait for an enemy who is not, will be victorious.

To fight and conquer in all your battles is not supreme excellence; supreme excellence consists in breaking the enemy’s resistance without fighting.

When the enemy is relaxed, make them toil. When full, starve them. When settled, make them move.

The art of war is of vital importance to the State. It is a matter of life and death, a road either to safety or to ruin. Hence it is a subject of inquiry which can on no account be neglected.

The spot where we intend to fight must not be made known; for then the enemy will have to prepare against a possible attack at several different points.

Hence to fight and conquer in all your battles is not supreme excellence; supreme excellence consists in breaking the enemy’s resistance without fighting.

Ultimate excellence lies not in winning every battle, but in defeating the enemy without ever fighting.

Those skilled at making the enemy move do so by creating a situation to which he must conform; they entice him with something he is certain to take, and with lures of ostensible profit they await him in strength.